HarvestBoston

Friday randomness

December 5, 2008 · No Comments

Not a lot of dialogue about the Advent Conspiracy stuff from the last post … thoughts?

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My dad sent me a question he received from a friend via e-mail. The question is: “Where do you find Jesus discerning whether or not his blessing a person would be empowering” or “enabling” that person? What’s the basis for exercising such discernment today? (I’m familiar with the ‘pearls’ and ’swine’ passage, if that’s even applicable.)”

Here’s my two cents:

I would say it’s become enabling when the other person comes requesting something and almost seems to expect you to say yes. Also, when debts go unpaid for weeks and weeks, that’s a problem.

There are times to flat-out bless someone with no re-payment expected, but most of the time, we work out some kind of re-payment system. (with Norma, she’s the one who initiates this … I think that’s a great sign of empowerment rather than enablement)

All that said, though, while we ought to keep these things in mind, I’m not sure Jesus does much discerning along these lines. He’s pretty indescriminant about how and who he blesses, because the blessings ultimately point people to him. We’re not going to get every “empowerment-enablement” decision right, and that’s not the point. The point is that we are identifying with the poor, and doing our part to demonstrate Jesus’ love to them and ease their lives just a bit.

One more thing: Context is everything. We don’t give change to panhandlers in Boston because we know Boston has EXCELLENT services for the homeless. (plenty of shelters, free wool blankets, meal trucks, church groups, low-income housing, etc…) In another context, we might come to a different conclusion. So paying attention to those factors are important.

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For those of you who don’t know, I (Steve) now work 3 days a week at a wonderful little book shop in downtown Boston. It’s one of the oldest antiquarian/rare/used bookshops in the US. Anyway, we get a nice discount on the books there, so you can imagine that my hold shelf is getting fairly crowded. I was especially excited about the books I took home yesterday, though, from a lot containing quite a bit of good Christian mysticism and spirituality classics. Have you read any of them?

When the Powers Fall: Reconciliation in the Healing of Nations, Walter Wink

A Book of Hours, Thomas Merton

Zen and the Birds of Appetite, Thomas Merton

The Seven Storey Mountain: An Autobiography of Faith, Thomas Merton

The Wisdom of the Desert, Thomas Merton

Meister Eckhart, from Whom God Hid Nothing: Sermons, Writings & Sayings, Meister Eckhart

There are still several others I have on hold but haven’t pulled the trigger on … should I?

→ No CommentsCategories: books · poverty

Shhh, it’s a conspiracy.

November 30, 2008 · 2 Comments

These are uncertain times, economically speaking. But according to a recent poll by American Research Group, Inc., Americans this year will still spend close to $500 per person extra this Holiday season — mostly on gifts.

We will spend beyond our means and receive items we don’t even need, while non-profits serving our communities struggle just to get by. With charitable donations and government grants down drastically this holiday season, many non-profits are cutting way back, threatening the very services that are central to their mission.

Here’s a thought: What if every American “skipped” the bulk of Christmas consumerism this year, instead donating a good portion of that money (if not all) to an organization that is helping people?

Join us in making the holiday season about loving our neighbors as ourselves. Give to a charity that is special to you. Give some money to allow another person or two access to clean water. Or, you are welcome to join us in giving to these wonderful Boston non-profits:

Generations Incorporated

ZUMIX

East Boston Social Centers

Whatever you do, make a change this Christmas.

→ 2 CommentsCategories: Christmas · consumerism
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Bishop Tom

November 24, 2008 · 1 Comment

I am finishing up a story for the Globe today, but I’ll be back to blogging and commenting as soon as I get a little bit of free time. I’ve also been hosting my beloved former professor, Kent Smith, this weekend.

In the meantime, check out the sermon N.T. Wright delivered last week at Park Street Church here in Boston. Chrissy and I were lucky enough to be there for it, along with several good friends.

Christian Hope in a Confusing World

→ 1 CommentCategories: Uncategorized

the future of religion

November 17, 2008 · 6 Comments

Earlier this year, I read Sam Harris’ The End of Faith, in which the renowned atheist called for an end to religious belief on account for the evil it makes us all do to each other. All religion, Harris argues, is at best fundamentalist and sectarian by nature (claiming it is the sole path to paradise/God/life), and at worst militant and violent against non-believers. The solution, Harris argues, is a putting to rest the childish fairy tales of religion — “to close the door on a certain style of irrationality” — in favor of a goodness and compassion drawn from our being human.

While there are certain truths to Harris’ plea, he forgets that while we are beyond the days of Christendom — where Christian faith is taken for granted in the West — complete secularism has also been tried, and has failed.  In other words, places like Western Europe have attempted to live free of religious faith and spirituality, and people keep running back to their God or gods.  Why is that?

Which brings me to Karen Armstrong’s TED Talk (HT: Steve Knight and the Shearons) earlier this year.  Armstrong, a former nun who has written extensively on religions and the role they play in society, has recently turned her attention to the unifying elements of the major world religions.  What she found was that in all major world religions lies one central truth: “Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you.” (or its negative variant, “don’t do to others what you wouldn’t want them doing to you”)  In short, Armstrong believes that we could have the possibility of a much more sane and peaceful world by pointing out and reclaiming our religions from fundamentalism that would stray from those things which bind us together.  OK, enough of a teaser … I hope you’ll take a few minutes and watch her 21-minute TED Talk, posted below. I found myself nodding along throughout. (as opposed to nodding off) It’s worth your time, if you have it. If not, why? =)

What do you think?  Is she crazy?  Does this scare you just a little bit?  Sound off.

→ 6 CommentsCategories: religion
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Empty Speech

November 13, 2008 · 5 Comments

Great paragraph over at Mark Love’s blog that made me think:

So, the post-election question for me is how to speak in a world of debased speech. And we have little choice about the matter. We are a Word faith. We believe that God creates through speaking, and that his work of redemption comes through a Word made flesh. How can we speak in a world that is weary of empty speech?

I’m especially interested in the implications for “gospel speech.”  Is it possible that even much of our “gospel speech” rings empty on the ears of the world?

→ 5 CommentsCategories: gospel · speech

Why I Voted

November 6, 2008 · 12 Comments

I blogged about politics a lot this year.  Our Christian faith bears heavily on our ability to put much or any hope in earthly governments.  At one point, I believe I even said I wouldn’t be voting on November 4.  Well, here’s the shocker: I voted yesterday.

It basically came down to my desire to “give a voice to the voiceless.”  Specifically, I was thinking about the millions (perhaps billions?) of people around the globe whose negative view of this nation is shaped primarily by the “cowboy presidency” of the last eight years.  I was thinking about our friends’ friends in Tanzania (which we visited in September 2007) and Uganda who were just as invested in the outcome of yesterday’s election as anyone in this country.  I was thinking about the millions of marginalized people in this country who, for reasons we cannot imagine, face economic, physical, spiritual, and emotional obstacles that kept them from going to the polls yesterday. (like our good friend and neighbor Sylvia, whom I’ve blogged about, who is raising two young children by herself)

Ryan Bolger put into words my rationale for voting better than anyone had before:

We need to ask, for a particular context and time, is voting a liberating or an oppressive activity? Was voting a Jesus-like activity in South Africa when blacks voted for the first time in 1994? I would say it was. Is voting a Jesus-like thing when a one-party government has 99% support? Probably not — voting would reinforce the illusion of support that those in power hold.

So, the question must be asked — is this a time to vote, is it a liberating activity for those in our country or or not? Does this election offer a means by which those who have been shut out and lack a real role in the political process receive their voice?  I think for many in the country, voting in this election represents a turning of the tide. I believe we have, in this election, an opportunity to elect a person who represents voices that have rarely been heard, at this level, in the political process. Giving a voice to the voiceless is something Christians need to rally around. And back up with a vote. Today. (read the full post here)

We’ll see how this all turns out.  A lot depends on how Obama presides as president.  I just couldn’t go another four or eight years carrying the cynicism that I’ve carried the last eight.

(I will note that my lovely wife came to a different decision on whether to vote or not.  I support her in this.  Voting would have violated her conscience, and violating one’s conscience is never advisable)

One thing’s for sure: As I alluded to in my last post, we’re not off the hook in our responsibility to care for the least of these, love our neighbors, and join God in rebuilding our world.  Our government OUGHT to be equipping the American people to be the change they want to see.  When it fails to do that, we call it out.

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I have read several pieces of election commentary written by conservative Christians in the last day that all have a similar tone.  Most of them touch on the idea that we as Christians belong first and foremost to the kingdoms of this world, but to the kingdom of God.  That we must not lose hope because “our guy” didn’t win yesterday.  That we must continue to preach and live like Jesus, fight for the cause of the oppressed, and enjoy our Christian citizenship over and above our American one.

Funny … I agree.

The irony is that maybe it takes a political disappointment like this to cause those on the Religious Right to get their priorities in order.  Let’s pray that left-of-center Christians do not begin to put unhealthy doses of hope in Obama to solve the major moral crises of our time.

The illusion of power is a cunning mistress.

→ 12 CommentsCategories: election · politics
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Trickle-Down Justice

October 31, 2008 · 15 Comments

A friend of mine and I ate breakfast together today at our favorite cafe, as we do every week.  Our part of the neighborhood is seeing an influx of young, urban professionals — “climbing the professional ladder,” as my friend put it.  Broadly speaking, these folks are well-educated and left-leaning, with entrepreneurial personalities.  They know how to have a good time, and local shindigs — beer dinners, meet-and-greets, and other social events — are frequent.

There seems to be a disconnect, though, in the lip service paid to acts of justice / social action and the direct work they do with their hands. (the mentoring, the tutoring, the serving)  I could be missing it altogether, but I haven’t seen it.  Lack of time seems to be a major factor here.

But almost unanimously, these folks will vote on Tuesday for Obama, whom they believe has the best policies to help the poor.  But with the apparent lack of direct service with the disenfranchised, you might call their social philosophy “trickle-down justice.”  This is ironic, given the ideological differences between these neighbors and the Reagonomics (trickle-down economics) now espoused by conservatives in America.  “If I vote for Obama, he’ll set the policies into motion that will help my neighbors.”  I’m certain that in most cases, this isn’t intentional or malicious (and many of them would resent my accusations), but it is something I’ve noticed.

Trickle-down anything is not enough.  We, ourselves, must touch … serve … interact with the “least of these.”

→ 15 CommentsCategories: politics · social justice
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If you build it …

October 25, 2008 · 16 Comments

Thanks to Agent B for ruining our Saturday by passing along this tidbit of news out of Abilene.

Chrissy and I both know this church well from our time in the Friendly Frontier, our best friends attended there for 6 years, and we even attended there for a short time.  This is a loving community that has grown by leaps and bounds over the last 10 years.  But the news that this church is taking out a loan for $9+ million to more than double the size of their already 75,000 square foot building … well, to steal a phrase from my good buddy Miller, “fires up my Tourette’s.”  I’m angry at this.

And I just couldn’t keep it to myself … not on this.  Here’s what I wrote in the comments section of the Reporter-News article:

Until every person in Abilene has a place to sleep tonight…

…and a warm meal

…and a set of warm clothes

…and a few friends to love them

…and an opportunity to work with their hands

I don’t want to hear one more story of another congregation “building bigger barns” — saying nothing of $9 million ones. In fact, my stomach turns at the Beltway news when I think about the number of hurting people right under their noses and around the world, especially in today’s economic climate.

As I recall, Jesus will not judge his people based on the number of bodies “ministered to” or the square footage of our church campuses or how many “Lord, Lords” we utter, but on how we treat the hungry, the imprisoned, the naked. In James, the writer describes “true religion” as how God’s people care for widows and orphans. Amos told Israel that God’s judgment was coming against it because they built stone buildings and vineyards and gave abundant grain and burnt offerings … but disregarded the poor and oppressed.

I think about the number of non-profits and faith-based groups in Abilene who are working out on the margins of society, in the gutters, and in unglamorous ways — and who scrape by for funds. I know of directors of ministries who take no salary so that those funds might be redirected to the people and projects who need it the most.

How far could $9.5 million go toward ending homelessness in Abilene?

The Beltway news is certainly not surprising, but it is shocking all the same. I love and have loved many people at Beltway, but this expansion is unacceptable. There, I said it. When 80% of a church’s funds are put toward facilities and salaries, Jesus cries. He must be sobbing at this news.

If my comment sounds angry and judgmental, that’s because it is. =)  Few things fire me up like stories of churches and church leaders a) abusing their influence over the flock by using “God’s will” as a rationale to do just about anything; and b) totally missing the point (in this case, assuming that God cannot work through the congregation unless they build this building).  The thing that gets me is that in a member vote (after an impassioned plea from the pastor basically saying that the leadership believe this expansion is the way God is leading the church), a whopping 99% of the voters approved the project.  How, out of 3,000+ members/lurkers, could virtually no one oppose this?  Are Beltway members so blindly trusting of their leadership that they’ll go along with anything?  Could it really be God’s will that $9.5 million be spent to expand a church’s worship space and parking lot?  Digital children’s Sunday School check-in kiosks?  Really?

Several Beltway members had commented to the many responses to the story, so I followed the above comment by asking one of them to tell me some specific ways this new facility will be used to serve the poor and marginalized and disenfranchised, and not just church “insiders.”  No responses yet.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.  Does it strike you the same way it struck me, in light of the suffering around the world (and in our own backyards)?  Or are you completely fine with it?  I want to know, so comment.  Let’s generate some discussion around this.

(Beltway people, I want to hear from you, too!)

→ 16 CommentsCategories: Uncategorized

Tupperware, pt 2

October 16, 2008 · 10 Comments

I’m a little bit disappointed that more people didn’t weigh in on my last post. Guess I’m not inflammatory enough… =)

(it’s not too late, btw … even if you disagree vehemently with me, say something!)

I’ve been processing a few things in my mind lately regarding this idea of evangelism, specifically the concept of salvation. On much of this, I have to credit Dr. Mark Love at ACU and his “Narrative Evangelism” material for kick-starting my thinking in this direction. Dr. Love (great name, eh? Dr. Love blogs over here) From his most recent blog post:

But, let’s let that alone, at least for now, and begin to explore what alternatives might look like. I’ve been exploring for a long time different ways to say this. Here’s one way. Salvation is less a transaction, and more participation in an event. It is less a set of ideas to be believed and more a story in which to participate. It is more than just a change of status, but the offer of participation in a God-empowered way of life.

I’d go even further … salvation has also been mischaracterized as a first and foremost the act of believing in several particular propositions. The virgin birth, the resurrection, the sinless life of Jesus, Jonah being eaten by a whale, for example.

But if salvation is first and foremost participatory — and I’ll proceed under the assumption that it is, though I am open to other interpretations and defenses thereof — then how much does one need to know to be considered “in”?  Traditionally, Christians have required that people believe in certain propositions before they are considered to be “in” or “on the journey” or “Christians” or whatever … but is it too much to expect that the 21st century mind (especially the postmodern one) will automatically ascribe to these propositions? 

I’d argue that a gospel that is primarily embodied, or participated in, requires only that people believe that the Way of God through Jesus is the very best, most loving, most just way to live — and begin living that way.  As people see that the lived-out gospel is true, and as they find a place in God’s great mission to heal a broken world, they begin to also recognize the truth behind the central propositions of the faith as well.  But instead of this intellectual ascension being the first hurdle to clear, it becomes a gradual last hurdle.

These are thoughts in process … what do you think?

→ 10 CommentsCategories: Uncategorized
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Church and Tupperware Parties

October 10, 2008 · 5 Comments

First off, I review Bill Maher’s comedy, Religulous, over at the Jesus Manifesto zine.  Check them (the review and the movie) out if you get a chance.  On a related note, it’s interesting that apparently, folks associated with the film’s production created a fake Christian rock band to call for a fake Christian boycott of the movie in order to create more of a buzz around the film.  Check out the funny call to arms here.

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We’ve all known him or her at one point in our life, perhaps at this moment.  S/he is a regional salesperson of [insert product name here] for [Tupperware / Pampered Chef / Mary Kay / etc].  Remember the first few weeks s/he was selling the stuff?  How s/he kept inviting you to that sales event s/he was having at his/her house?  How everyone would receive the complimentary gift, and there would be no pressure to commit to buying anything?  How you either went to the party, bought something, and that was the end of that … or you didn’t go, haven’t bought anything, and subsequently dread every conversation with said friend since then?

Sound familiar?

I wonder if this is how many outside of Christian circles feel about their Christian friends, especially those who are super evangelistic.  You know, always feeling like they are trying to get them to buy something.  Trying to get them to come to some introductory meeting at their church building or house, where they may even receive a complimentary gift just for showing up. (a Bible, a CD of worship music, the Jesus Video…)  Like many “regional salespeople” of those catchy kitchen products, one begins to wonder if s/he is my friend because s/he cares about me, or if s/he is just trying to sell me something.  In way too many relationships, the agenda is painfully obvious, and the “potential buyer” is usually the one who gets flogged by it.

I’m finding it more and more difficult to “close the deal” in this way as it relates to my faith, instead just desiring to love people and be their friend for no other reason than to love them and be their friend.  (because Jesus said this was the sum of the law and the prophets)  On the other side of the coin, I want all my friends to experience the joy of life under the reign of loving Jesus and be assimilated into his mission.

This is perhaps my/our biggest tension right now.  Suggestions?

*my apologies to any of my readers who are “regional salespeople.”  My intention is not to knock your profession, but to underscore the difficulty of forming authentic friendships while trying to sell a product.  In the same way that not all Christians are “salespeople for Jesus,” clearly not all “regional salespeople” fit my description above.

→ 5 CommentsCategories: Christianity · evangelism · movies
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